A PIONEER WHARF COMPANY
(contd.)
620
"The new pier and godowns, which have now been completed under the direction of Messrs. Wilson and Salway, architects and civil engineers, form a noticeable addition to the engineering works in Hongkong. The pier is 1,000 feet long by 50 wide, and is built in the most solid manner of Manila hardwood, which has been carefully selected as most likely to resist the action of sea worms. Unfortunately, this cannot be overcome altogether, but every precaution has been taken against it, the wood having been pickled in a preparation for the purpose. There are two lines of rail running the length of the pier, on each side, so that the trucks can be kept passing the cargo up in constant rotation. A locomotive engine to draw them is to come out from home shortly. A shed of corrugated iron is to be erected to enable the cargo to be passed from one side to the other in wet weather. This will be very handy in transhipping cargo, as one steamer can lie on one side, and the other on the opposite side of the wharf.
The shed is to be 250 feet long by 25 feet in width.
No doubt it will prove of advantage, in protecting cargo, shipped under Mr. Holt's pet bill of lading, from damage by rain.
"The trucks are capable of taking six tons each, and are of much value in landing such cargo as rice, as the whole of the leaking from the bags is saved, and can be gathered up from the trucks.
The trucks carry the cargo right into the godowns, in front of which there is a fine airy space with platforms, which are thoroughly protected, so that the cargo can be temporarily stored on them in perfect safety. There are six new godowns, each capable of holding 2,000 tons, and two old ones which will hold 1,500 tons. Eventually, it is contemplated to have accommodation for 20,000 tons. A feature in the works is a roof of corrugated iron, of no less than 60 feet span.
"The working of the arrangements, although it is not yet fully completed, has been satisfactory. The French mail steamers Peiho and Hoogly have discharged alongside, and it is understood the French Mail steamers will shortly come regularly to the pier.
"The Company has two steam cranes from Messrs. Taylor & Co., of Birkenhead, for landing machinery and other heavy articles. They are the best arrangement for this purpose that has been invented. The buoys have been fixed by a new screw principle which consists of an arrangement by which a large iron worm is actually screwed into the bottom of the sea, and is thus more firmly secured than can be attained by any other process.
"As there was a great deal of discussion about the openings, it may be well to notice that this part of the pier seems to work satisfactorily. There is an opening 40 ft. wide half way down, and one 20 ft. wide near the shore; and boats and sampans are constantly passing through them with ease."
However, within a few months the company failed, the wave of intense commercial depression of that period being too much for its resources. An old record states that the H.K. Pier and Godown Co. closed down in September 1873; and in the Hongkong Times of November 26 that same year we find a report that Messrs. Lane, Crawford & Co. (who then operated an auctioneering department) sold the property by auction; and it was bought in by the chief creditors, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, for the sum of $80,000.
Apparently the property was later acquired by Jardine, Matheson & Co., for they seem to have sold it to the newly-formed H.K. and Kowloon Wharf & Godown Co. in 1887; or so one infers from the fact that this company took over from Jardines and the P. and O. Company property at West Point and Kowloon.
The new concern, as we have seen, never looked back, and remains to-day one of the major enterprises of the Colony.
A PIONEER WHARF COMPANY
(contd.)
620
"The new pier and godowns, which have now been completed under the direction of Messrs. Wilson and Salway, architects and civil engineers, form and noticeable addition to the engineering works in Hongkong. The pier is 1,000 feet long by 50 wide, and is built in the most solid manner of Manila hardwood, which has been carefully
This, selected as most likely to resist the action of sea worms. unfortunately cannot be overcome altogether, but every precaution has been taken against it, the wood having been pickled in a preparation for the purpose. There are two lines of rail running the length of the pier, on each side, so that the trucks can be kept passing the cargo up in constant rotation. A locomotive engine to draw them is to come out from home shortly. A shed of corrugated iron is to be erected to enable the cargo to be passed from one side to the other in wet weather. This will be very handy in transhipping cargo, as one steamer can lie
The shed on one side, and the other the opposite side of the wharf. is to be 250 feet long by 25 feet in width.
No doubt it will prove of advantage, in protecting cargo, shipped under Mr. Holt's pet bill of lading, from damage by rain.
"The trucks are capable of taking six tons each, and are of much value in landing such cargo as rice, as the whole of the leaking from the bags is saved, and can be gathered up from the trucks.
The trucks carry the cargo right into the godowns, in front of which there is a fine airy space with platforms, which are thoroughly protected, so that the cargo can be temporarily stored on them in perfect safety, There are six new godowns, each capable of holding 2,000 tons, and two old ones which will hold 1,500 tons. Eventually, it is contemplated to have accommodation for 20,000 tons. A feature in the works is a roof of corrugated iron, of no less than 60 feet span.
"The working of the arrangements, although it is not yet fully com- pleted, has been satisfactory. The French mail steamers Peiho and Hoogly have discharged alongside, and it is understood the French Mail steamers will shortly come regularly to the pier.
"The Company has two steam cranes from Messrs. Taylor & Co., of Birkenhead, for landing machinery and other heavy articles. They are the best arrangement for this purpose that has been invented. The buoys have been fixed by a new screw principle which consists of an arrange- ment by which a large iron worm is actually screwed into the bottom of the sea, and is thus more firmly secured than can be attained by any other process.
1
"As there was a great deal of discussion about the openings, it may be well to notice that this part of the pier seems to work satis- factorily. There is an opening 40 ft. wide half way down, and one 20 ft. wide near the shore; and boats and sampans are constantly pass- ing through them with ease."
An
However, within a few months the company failed, the wave of intense commercial depression of that period being too much for its resources. old record states that the II.K. Pler and Godown Co. closed down in Sept- ember 1873; and in the Hongkong Times of November 26 that same year we find a report that Messrs. Lane, Crawford & Co. (who then operated an ɛuc- tionering department) sold the property by auction; and it was bought in by the chief creditors, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, for the sum of $80,000.
Apparently the property was later acquired by Jardine, Matheson & Co., for they seem to have sold it to the newly-formed H.K. and Kowloon Wharf & Godown Co. in 1887; or so one infers from the fact that this company took over from Jardines and the P. and 0. Company property at West Point and Kowloon..
The new concern, as we have seen, never looked back, and remains to-day one of the major enterprises of the Colony.
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